4-H Newsletter
December 1, 2023
To enroll in 4-H for 2024, click here. 4-Hers and Volunteers may not participate in any 4-H Activities without being enrolled first. This included attending club meetings, participating in shooting sports projects, etc.
For returning families, please do not create a new account; rather use your log-in credentials for 4honline used in previous years. Instructions can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/returning-member. Enrollment instructions for new families can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/new-member.
Please note the enrollment fee for Douglas-Sarpy counties is $10 per member and is paid online. Enrollments are due June 15, 2024. Please contact Brett at brett.kreifels@unl.edu with any questions.
New 4-H Volunteers for Douglas-Sarpy 4-H will need to be screened and have a background check done. Volunteers may not work with youth until volunteer enrollment and screening is complete. To begin the screening process visit and enroll via 4-H Online.
Feeder Steer Challenge - Sign up by Dec. 1
The 4-H Fed Steer Challenge is a unique opportunity for members looking to take their 4-H beef project to the next level. Applications for next year’s program are due Dec. 1 and are available at 4h.unl.edu/fed-steer-challenge
National 4-H Art Contest - Sign up by Jan. 1
Calling all artists, creators and performers! We’d love to see what YOU do best. Submit your work for a chance to be featured at upcoming National 4-H events. We’re looking for singers, dancers, instrumentalists as well as visual artists and creators of all kinds. Enter today to showcase your unique talent on this national stage! Applications from students ages 14-19 accepted November 13th through January 1st.
Apply at https://4-h.org/story-submission/
Omaha Fashion Week - Sign up by Jan. 5
Nebraska 4-H is pleased to partner with Omaha Fashion Week to showcase the work of 4-H members during their Spring Showcase Student Night. OFW Student Night exclusively features student designers, including a 4-H collection. This collection consists of 10 to 15 garments modeled by the 4-H members who made them. In order to create a complete and dynamic collection, interested 4-H members are invited to apply to participate in the show. This year’s OFW Student Night will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, at the Omaha Design Center (Near TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha).
https://4h.unl.edu/omaha-fashion-week
Application is now open and will close on January 5, 2024. Please message Marie Nelson <marie.nelson@unl.edu> with questions.
Static Project Highlight: Financial/Consumer Education Projects
Financial projects may sound boring, but they can pay dividends. Young people learn money management by creating income inventories, tracking expenses or completing money personality profiles. Check out some of the financial exhibits that can be entered into fair.
Animal Project Highlight: Beef
The 4-H beef project teaches youth a variety of things including how to calculate the cost to raise a market beef animal, and how to feed beef animals to achieve a reasonable amount of gain. Learn more at https://4hcurriculum.unl.edu/index.php/main/program_project/4
4-Her - Kinsley White
This week's 4-Her of the week is Kinsley White
At the 2023 Sarpy County Fair Champion Junior Meat Goat Showman, Junior Beef Showman, Breeding Doe, Market Steer. At the 2023 Nebraska State Fair, Kinsley won Reserve Grand Champion Intermediate Goat Showman and Reserve Grand Champion Composite Charolais Breeding Heifer.
Share your 4-H accomplishments with us! Email your pictures to Rwright4@unl.edu
Clover Kid Club
Parents and children ages 5-7 are invited to be a part of the Douglas-Sarpy 4-H Clover Kid Program.
When: 12-12, 1-9, 2-13, 3-12
Time: 6-7 pm
Where: Nebraska Extension Douglas-Sarpy Central Office, 8015 W Center Rd. Omaha
The class is sponsored by Douglas-Sarpy 4-H, so there is no cost to attend, but participants are asked to preregister with Rachel at rwright4@unl.edu.
Quilting Club - Happy Hands
When: December 19 usually meets on the third Tuesday of the month.
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
Interested members can contact Club Leader Stephanie at (stephkucera@hotmail.com).
Paddock Posse - Horseless Horse Club
Where: Nebraska Extension Douglas-Sarpy Central Office, 8015 W Center Rd. Omaha
When: Dec. 15, 2023 (usually the first Friday of every Month)
Time: 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Who: Youth ages 8-18
Let's learn more about the Horse Industry and Horse Related Topics!
You need to rsvp with Alaina at Alaina.kauffman@yahoo.com
2024 Dates will be Jan 6th, Feb 12th, March 1st , April 5th , May 3rd, June 7th , July 12th, Sept 6th, Oct. 4th, Nov. 8th, and Dec 6th.
4-H Livestock Achievement program
Through the Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement program, youth can receive recognition as Members of Excellence for engaging in various project-related activities. NEW in 2024: Members as young as eight will be able to participate. Applications are due June 15, but why wait? Visit 4h.unl.edu/livestock-achievement to get started.
Companion Animal Contest
This year's Companion Animal Contest is open to all 4-H youth ages 5-18. All exhibitors will give a brief presentation about their small pet. This may include characteristics, health, history and care of the animal they are showing. This contest is for cats, fish, hamsters, birds, snakes, bugs, etc. *
When: April 13, 2024, at 9 am
Where: Nebraska Extension Douglas-Sarpy Central Office, 8015 W Center Rd. Omaha
Questions: Contact Rachel at rwright4@unl.edu
*Rabbits, poultry guinea pigs and dogs will be shown at their own shows.
Special Garden Project - PRINCESS INDIA NASTURTIUM
The 2023 Special Garden Project will focus be Princess India Nasturium. This project offers a unique introduction to plant science. Members are given seeds and guided through planting, growing, and harvesting seasons. Members can exhibit a cut flower or harvested vegetable at the fair if all goes well. Otherwise, youth can share their experience through a poster, story, or video exhibit.
Youth should enroll for the Special Garden Project through 4-H Online. Once enrolled through 4-H Online, youth are then email Mary Dierks at mdierks@sarpy.com to let us know they enrolled for the project. By enrolling through 4-H Online, youth will have access to the shared folder with the educational materials including the growing newsletter & evaluation. Visit 4h.unl.edu/spg to learn more.
Unique Project Ideas
We all know about the 4-H livestock, cooking and sewing projects. But with nearly 50 projects to choose from, there are likely some you aren’t familiar with. These five often-overlooked projects offer real-world skills and unique experiences: go.unl.edu/2nd8.
Volunteer Orientation
Nebraska 4-H has launched a new volunteer orientation. This online training serves as an introduction to the 4-H Youth Development program in Nebraska and covers a few essential topics for volunteers. While the orientation is required for new volunteers and those going through the re-screening process, any interested individuals, including current and prospective volunteers, are welcome to complete the course.
Learn more at 4h.unl.edu/volunteer-orientation.
State Fair Changes
In 2023, Nebraska 4-H lowered the age limit for participation in the Nebraska State Fair for all in-person events to nine years of age. That change increased our participation and provided more youth the opportunity to have an engaging learning experience. We had many positive comments from legacy families as well as new.
This fall, we have had follow-up conversations with many of you as well as the show superintendents and various teams that run these events during State Fair and throughout the year. Based on that feedback and our goal of increasing access, the decision has been made to change the age of eligibility in 2024 to be 8 years of age before January 1 (of the current year) for all in-person State Fair events (livestock, contests, fashion shows, contests) and other state competitions (Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Expo, PASE, communications contest). Note: there will be some events that will maintain their ages due to specific program rules (shooting sports, FIRST LEGO League Challenge robotics). Please check information on each specific event as it becomes available.
Community service is an important part of the 4-H experience. Not only do communities benefit from these projects, but young people do, as well! Youth learn valuable life skills like citizenship, leadership, and respect for others. They are also more likely to do well in school, graduate, and vote. Check out our resources at https://4h.unl.edu/community-service to get started.
Share your project with us at 4h.unl.edu/community-service-showcase.
- Nebraska Project and Resources webpage offers lots of exciting and educational projects for 4-H'ers to choose from.
Volunteer Connection Sign Up - Get exclusive tips, tricks, and support . https://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-connection?fbclid=IwAR0S4jNFxf54dbHE75Co44-w04QwV2224gpfIbYWs5NqhFJRgRq9POh-nVM
Submit your community service project at 4h.unl.edu/csps
- The Nebraska 4-H Glossary https://4h.unl.edu/glossary
- 4-H Shooting Sports information can be found here.
- Start a club: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18S0FvDS90FXh_xsP5s-NSD3DKu1gVlx0?usp=sharing
- New Member Handouts (Drive folder)
- https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1atu4VKDHTYukncs9_gVpRwPTY4MvbuRe?usp=sharing
- New Member Guidebook - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j99YzlGpClOexfXZDJJrouP9USUTtVn_/view?usp=share_link
-
For 4-H camp questions, contact Amber at astephens15@unl.edu
For State 4-H Equine Program questions, contact Lena Luck at Lena.luck@unl.edu
For State Companion Animal Program questions, contact Lisa Karr at Lisa.karr@unl.edu
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made to Douglas-Sarpy County Extension at 402-444-7804 or douglas-sarpy@unl.edu
Nebraska Extension education programs abide with the non-discrimination policies of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the United State Department of Agriculture.